After the massive success Ireland have found in rowing at the Tokyo Olympics, we managed to add another medal to our haul in a different sport overnight.
Belfast's Aidan Walsh guaranteed himself at least a bronze medal by reaching the semi-final in the men's welterweight division after a classy performance Merven Clair of Mauritius. It was a fantastic performance from the 24-year old, emerging victorious after a 4-1 split judge's decision.
You could see what the result meant to him as his name was called out after the bout.
It's bronze for @aidanwalsh997 and a 3rd medal for Ireland at #tokyo2020 but after a classy display the welterweight will look to upgrade against Britain's Pat McCormack#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/lLKXNhKPkF
📱 Report - https://t.co/alWqad7ePY https://t.co/n4emHI6FvE— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 30, 2021
He will now face British fighter Pat McCormack in the semi-final in the early hours of Sunday morning, hoping to upgrade that bronze to at least a silver.
Speaking to RTÉ after the fight, Walsh was overwhelmed by the magnitude of what he had just achieved.
'He's fighting Ireland's Aidan Walsh!' - @aidanwalsh997 is looking forward to his semi-final bout against Britain's Pat McCormack on Sunday after securing bronze#boxing #olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/lLKXNhKPkF
📱 Report - https://t.co/alWqad7ePY pic.twitter.com/Jru9Ez64xV— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 30, 2021
I don't even know what to say. It's crazy the amount of sacrifice made by my trainers, my girlfriend, everybody, it's amazing, I can't believe it...
I just do what the coaches tell me, they come up with a game plan and I just do it. That's what you have to do, just listen to the corner and do what they do.
Boxer say it's like a computer game, they are playing a computer game and I'm the operator in it. They tell me what to do and listen as best I can.
I'm happy with the performance but I want to progress on...
You're always straight in for more and more, you want to be the best. You want to keep improving and I feel like I'm improving all the time. Thanks to the coaches I'm learning all the time, adapting new techniques and moving up the ladder...
[McCormack] faces Ireland's Aidan Walsh, that's the way I'm looking at it! It's just going in there with the belief that you can beat anybody, read tactics with the coaches, do what they're implementing, and just keep believing in myself.
In an arena with no spectators, Walsh's loudest supporter came in the form of sister Michaela. She travelled to the games to participate in the women's featherweight division, but would unfortunately be eliminated in the round of 16.
She has since dedicated herself to supporting her brother, with Aidan crediting her as being the driving force for reaching this point in his career. He also admitted he was delighted to emulate past Olympic boxing medallists from Belfast.
Me and my sister do everything together. The coaches are always saying we are always with each other, 'bother and sister'.
When I was younger everyone was afraid of my big sister. It wasn't a big brother, it was a big sister...
She's my best friend. I'd do anything for her and she'd do anything for me. We live and breath this journey. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here because I would have stopped boxing out.
When I was younger running around the streets, she was the one pulling me in saying 'wind your neck in'. She saw the talent I had...
I watched all those (Belfast) guys all the time: Paddy Barnes, Mick Conlan, Finlay Gyms, watching them come back to Belfast in the big busses, I was down watching.
It's hard to believe.
I keep getting better every fight and I want to push on now.
The entire country will be behind him on Sunday. We're sure his sister will be in his corner as well.
SEE ALSO: Here's Every Gold Medal Won By Ireland At The Olympics
